Vadodara, Gujarat, is grappling with a dual crisis as heavy rains have not only caused severe flooding but also driven crocodiles into residential areas. The swollen Vishwamitri River, which flows through the city and is home to around 300 mugger crocodiles, has overflowed, pushing the reptiles into streets, parks, and even onto rooftops.
Crocodiles on the Loose in Residential Areas
Residents of Vadodara have reported sightings of large crocodiles, measuring between 10 to 15 feet, in various parts of the city. The reptiles have been found outside homes, in university premises, and even on the roof of a house inundated by the heavy rains. Authorities have been working tirelessly to capture and relocate these crocodiles. In the past five days, ten crocodiles have been rescued, with two already released back into the river. The remaining eight are being held until the river’s water levels recede.
A crocodile was spotted on the roof of a house in Gujarat’s #Vadodara as the state continues to reel from floods after extremely heavy rainfall.
The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. pic.twitter.com/YiQar38EXE
— Our Vadodara (@ourvadodara) August 29, 2024
#WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: Forest Department rescues the crocodile seen on the campus of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda pic.twitter.com/joBQjJfAHW
— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2024
Karansinh Rajput, a Range Forest Officer, noted that while crocodile rescues are common throughout the year, the number spikes significantly during the monsoon season when the river floods. In June, four crocodiles were rescued, but the number surged to 21 in July as the rains intensified.
Floods Devastate Gujarat, Rescue Efforts Underway
The heavy rains have caused widespread devastation across Gujarat, claiming at least 26 lives in the past five days. The State Emergency Operations Centre reported that 1,785 people were rescued on Thursday alone, and over 13,000 have been relocated to safer areas due to severe waterlogging. To date, more than 50,000 people have been moved to safety, with 4,200 rescued from flood-affected regions.
The worst-affected districts include Vadodara, Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Kutch. Rescue operations are being led by teams from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities, with helicopters deployed in some cases to evacuate people from the most dangerous areas.
The water level of the Vishwamitri River, which peaked at 37 feet—12 feet above the danger mark—has started to recede, dropping to 24 feet as of this morning. However, the situation remains critical, with rescue operations continuing as the city battles both the floods and the unexpected invasion of crocodiles.
